Photo licensed under Creative Commons. Courtesy of Mr. Ducke.

Governor Carcieri on Tuesday signed into law a $7.8-billion budget package that raises Rhode Island’s gas tax by 2 cents per gallon, cuts millions of dollars from cities and towns, and trims pension benefits for thousands of state workers and teachers. The plan boosts overall government spending by $900 million, or 13 percent, for the coming year, relying heavily on federal stimulus funds to plug the state’s largest budget hole in decades.

The state legislature adjourned early Saturday morning, leaving behind plenty of work that still needs to be done. The most high profile measure that failed to gain final approval was a bill that would have banned prostitution that takes place indoors. The House and Senate passed different versions of the bill, but they were not reconciled before the adjournment took place. Also, the only bill that emerged from the same sex marriage debate – one that would allow gay partners to make funeral arrangements for the other – failed to make the cut. The Senate is not expected to reconvene until September.

The Senate approved a resolution Friday – introduced earlier the same day – to create a nine-member special commission to study the issues surrounding marijuana. The goal of the commission is to identify what, if anything, will be accomplished by criminalizing use of the plant for any other purpose,

State lawmakers launched a “Special Senate Commission to Study Municipal Pensions.” The resolution creating the five-member commission was introduced Tuesday by Senate Finance Chairman Daniel DaPonte and Senate Majority Leader Daniel Connors and approved by the full Senate the same day. The resolution notes that there are numerous municipal pensions systems that are not members of the state retirement system but nonetheless “an integral part of the state’s annual budget expenditure as well as the state’s economy as a whole.” The panel has until June 30, 2010 to report its findings and recommendations.

The state Senate on Tuesday approved a bill in which registered sex offenders who temporarily live in the state for at least 14 days would have to register at the police station in the community where they are residing. The vote was 33 to 0 and came without floor debate. The bill requires House passage.

The Supreme Court ruled that Rhode Island legislators can be prosecuted for ethics violations involving their political activities, questionable acts on behalf of constituents or businessmen – but not, for their official legislative votes or actions. Reacting to this ruling Monday by the state Supreme Court, Carcieri urged the assembly to pass a resolution to place a constitutional amendment on the November 2010 ballot to strengthen the Ethics Commission. Carcieri said the amendment is needed “to regain confidence and trust of the people of Rhode Island.”

The Internet giant Amazon.com severed ties with all Rhode Island businesses, a move intended to shield the massive online retailer from the General Assembly’s push to begin taxing some online sales as soon as last Wednesday. Amazon issued a warning letter to legislative leaders Friday suggesting that it would take immediate action unless the state backed off its “tax collection scheme.” Amazon now has terminated business relationships with just two states: Rhode Island and North Carolina.

The Senate voted and sent to the governor a bill to allow round-the-clock gambling, seven days a week at Twin River, while also forcing the owners of the bankrupt track and slot parlor to drop their plans to suspend live greyhound racing on Aug. 8, and run a full 200-day season. The vote was 25 to 10. The House approved the bill Friday. However, Governor Carcieri vetoed this bill later in the week – a move heavily criticized by the Rhode Island Greyhound Owners Association.

Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch said the state lead safety program is on target to remediate 600 low-income homes by 2012. The 6.7 million dollar program is to focus on neighborhoods with average incomes below federal guidelines; these neighborhoods include areas in Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls and Woonsocket. Lynch explains the focus will target families “with a high number of children with elevated blood levels, a high number of children under the age of six years old, and areas with pre-1950s housing stock.”

Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch announced this week that he has assembled a campaign team for his likely run for governor next year. Lynch’s announcement comes almost one year to the day before the filing deadline for candidates in the governor’s race.

Providence City Councilman John J. Lombardi, who represents Federal Hill, launched a political Web site called, “Lombardi for Providence.” Although the website doesn’t outright say that the councilman is seeking to challenge Democrat David N. Cicilline in 2010, it comes close. Lombardi served about four months as mayor in 2002 following the resignation of Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr.

Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts will not run for governor in 2010, according to a surprise announcement Wednesday. The move comes just two months after the first-term lieutenant governor unveiled a high profile “campaign team” to explore a gubernatorial bid.

A stalled bill led to a State House confrontation between a few state officials and Henry Fellela, husband of Rep. Deborah Fellela on June 26. Fellela confronted Senators John J. Tassoni and Leo R. Blais and a Senate staffer because he was upset that his wife’s bill regarding the Johnston Housing Authority had stalled in Tassoni’s committee. A verbal argument ensued, in which Fellela later admitted to using profanity. Tassoni said he reported the incident because, at the time, he thought Fellela was “unstable.” The state police investigated the incident.